Bike Lane have managed to corner their own little market in the budget trainer sector, with two great trainers; the Premium trainer which we’re reviewing here, and the standard Bike Lane trainer with its 7 levels of resistance (reviewed here).
Both trainers are very budget-friendly, but if you’re looking to choose between the two, we’d have to go with the magnetic resistance Premium trainer, largely because of its value and reduced noise levels. The included riser block (for raising the front wheel) is also a pretty decisive factor, especially for those of you counting the cents.
Check the latest discounts for this Bike Lane trainer on AmazonWhat we loved about the Bike Lane Premium trainer
For a very budget-friendly trainer, we were impressed with the resistance controller that you can mount on your handlebar to control the level of resistance while you pedal. You can choose to start with lower levels of resistance while warming up and then gradually increase the level to test your endurance.
The seven levels of resistance will give you enough power to engage in some pretty intense workouts, including sprints and mountain climbs.
The trainer is also easy and quick to assemble, while the wide base makes for a very stable and smooth ride. I’d say that even the larger-boned of you looking to lose some pounds will find this surprisingly strong and sturdy.
Since the rear tire is slightly elevated by the trainer, a very useful riser block is provided with the trainer to keep the front wheels level with the rear, as well as holding it nice and steady. A nice touch from the boys at Bike Lane, as these risers can cost another $15-20.
Some of the Bike Lane Premium’s main features
- The trainer has seven resistance levels and is equipped with a resistance controller that you can fix on your handlebars for easy switching of levels.
- A magnet that operates quietly induces the internal resistance. You can feel the resistance as soon as you touch your pedal; as you progress into your workout, you can easily increase the resistance by shifting the gears on your bike or by using the resistance controller.
- It is portable and easy to store. It weighs 18.5 pounds and can be folded compactly like an ironing board that you can even stow in your car when you travel.
- It has a sturdy frame and the legs are extra wide to provide you with maximum stability when you pedal hard.
- Easy to setup – we’d say a maximum of 10-15 minutes, even for beginners. The instructions provided for attaching the bike to the trainer are very clear and easy to follow.
- It is made of durable and high-quality materials and the construction is robust, which make the trainer last longer.
- It is shipped with a riser block that keeps the bike level when the rear wheels are slightly elevated by the trainer. Many other trainers don’t include a riser, something we’re always trying to fathom out why…
- It fits road bikes with 700c wheels and mountain bikes with different size wheels.
- It has a quick-release foot pedal that maintains a steady tire pressure and a machined steel flywheel weighing 850 grams, which give a natural feel to the pedal.
- It also comes with a metal replacement skewer axle for the rear wheel.
What we didn’t like…
The noise level is not too bad, particularly if you use a floor mat to minimize vibration. If you use it with a mountain bike, the noise becomes a lot louder and can be annoying – so switch over to a training slick, those knobbly mountain bike treads aren’t going to win over the neighbors once you start cranking up the pace!
Bang for your buck?
The Bike Lane Premium trainer is a pretty great value option for your winter training sessions. There are of course better magnetic trainers out there (we’re big fans of the CycleOps Mag for example), but this baby is something like half the price of the very decent models, and does a mighty fine job.
It is sturdy, stable, and gives a decent workout for beginners and professionals alike (OK, we’d have to say that if you’re a semi-pro or very serious about your training, then this trainer probably won’t suffice – head for something like the Rock n Roller (one of the best bike trainers your money can buy in 2022) or the SuperMagneto). It combines affordability and efficiency, which for budget-conscious bikers are major factors to consider when investing in a trainer. Recommended!
